Chapter 012 If you don't betray me, I will never betray you
Although it is already October, the territory of Qianxiang is still full of greenery, without any sign of desolation.
Because all customs in the country are modeled after those of the Great Zhou, there is a reception pavilion three to five miles outside Qinglin Mansion. Just a few days ago, Sun Shaozong welcomed the new special envoy Hou Yong in the reception pavilion, and today it was Hou Yong's turn to see him off on a long journey.
Just as Sun Shaozong had expected, the court had no intention of punishing him. It only ordered Sun Shaozong to return to the court immediately after completing the handover with Hou Yong.
In addition, Hou Yong also brought good news: the Prince Yi Zhong, whom Sun Shaozong had offended, has been imprisoned in the clan office because the news of his privately manufactured firearms leaked out. All the property in his home has been confiscated and sold, and even the coffin that was originally ordered has been sold to others.
"Ji Lang!"
Outside the pavilion, beside the ancient road, Hou Yong solemnly clasped his fists, his rough face showing a bit of loneliness: "After returning to the capital, don't forget to tell my mother that I'm safe on behalf of my brother. Tell her to take good care of herself and wait for me to come back to show my filial piety!"
Unlike the previous Ambassador Niu, Hou Yong came from a military background. He and Sun Shaozong's brother Sun Shaozu were known as the Twin Tigers of the Patrol Camp. They had a good relationship with each other, so Hou Yong did not address Sun Shaozong by his official title, but called him "Erlang".
Although they had only been together for a few days, Sun Shaozong and this generous and magnanimous yet tactful Brother Hou got along quite well.
Seeing this bold man like a black iron tower, he couldn't help but choke up when he mentioned his mother. He felt very sorry for her and said, "Don't worry, Brother Hou. When I return to Shuntian Prefecture, I will visit my aunt often!"
"Thank you in advance, brother!"
As Hou Yong spoke, he waved his hand back, and immediately an attendant brought two bowls of wine. He handed one bowl to Sun Shaozong first, then took another bowl for himself, and pushed the bowl forward, saying, "It's getting late. After drinking this bowl of wine, Erlang can set off. Come on, drink it!"
"Dry!"
Sun Shaozong also hurriedly raised his bowl to greet him.
After he had finished drinking the bowl of wine, he smiled at Hou Yong and was about to say goodbye and leave when he saw a man on horseback galloping up the official road. Although he was dressed in a green robe and a small hat, his voice was as crisp as the cry of an oriole from a distance: "Brother Sun, wait for me!"
Just by hearing this voice, Sun Shaozong recognized that the person was Ruan Rong!
He couldn't help but feel happy and surprised. He was happy that he could say goodbye to this little girl in person before leaving; but he was surprised that this girl was clearly engaged today, but she was still eager to go out of the city to see him off. If her future husband's family knew about it, it would not be a good thing.
Sun Shaozong subconsciously took a few steps forward and asked, "Miss Rong, why are you ..."
Before he could finish his words, Ruan Rong jumped off her horse and threw herself into his arms without caring about anything else. She said resolutely, "Brother Sun, I don't want to marry that idiot from the Pan family. I want to go back to the Great Zhou with you!"
This was a sudden change. Sun Shaozong stared at her beautiful face in amazement, not knowing how to respond for a long time.
"Hahaha……"
At this time, while listening to Hou Yong's hearty laughter, he stepped forward and patted Sun Shaozong on the shoulder, teasing: "I didn't expect that you have such a skill, Erlang. I really envy you, your brother!"
Sun Shaozong's body was stiff and he dared not move. He turned his head awkwardly and smiled bitterly, "Brother Hou, don't talk nonsense. Miss Rong is the daughter of the Qinglin prefect, and the Pan family is the Minister of Finance of Qianxiang Country. If I really take her to Da Zhou, will the two families let it go?"
"So what if they refuse to give up? Do they dare to chase her all the way to Shuntian Prefecture?!" Hou Yong said nonchalantly, "The girl has even lost her reputation for you. This love is worth real gold. Are you going to push her to that idiot Pan?"
As he said this, he glared at me again and threatened me viciously: "Let me be frank with you. If you dare to do such a dirty thing, not only will I lose my brotherhood, but I will also have to argue with you with my fist as big as a clay pot!"
Speechless...
Our brother Hou is truly a model of altruism!
Besides, the young master of the Pan family is just obsessed with books, how can he be considered a fool? !
As mentioned before, although Sun Shaozong had some feelings for Ruan Rong, it was still a long way from being a romantic relationship. But how could he say "no" when the daughter of a prefect was willing to run away from home to be with him?
After a moment's hesitation, he saw that Ruan Rong looked a little flustered, so he could only sigh and asked, "Do you really want to go to Da Zhou with me?"
Ruan Rong nodded without hesitation, her raised little face full of anticipation.
"Well!"
Sun Shaozong stretched out a hand in front of her and said, "Let's high-five and swear an oath. You have about eight days to think it over in the territory of Qianxiang Country. If you feel regretful, I will send you back to Qinglin Mansion without saying a word. But once you set foot on the land of Dazhou, you will be my woman, Sun Shaozong, and you will not be allowed to regret it!"
Ruan Rong stared at the big hand in a trance for a long while, then she took a deep breath, pressed her white jade-like hand against it, and said solemnly: "If you don't let me down, I will definitely not let you down!"
After the vow was made, Ruan Rong felt relieved, but at the same time she couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed. She hurriedly broke free from Sun Shaozong's arms, stroking the hair by her ears with a blushing face.
"Feng Xin!"
Once Sun Shaozong made up his mind, he immediately threw all his concerns to the back of his mind. He pointed at the white horse that Ruan Rong had ridden and ordered, "First tie it to the back of the carriage so that we can take turns using it on the road."
Like Sun Shaozong, Feng Xin was also asked to return to Da Zhou. The difference was that he returned to Beijing to report to the Ministry of War, while Sun Shaozong returned to Beijing to meet the emperor - which meant that he had to first appear in front of the emperor before making any arrangements.
Feng Xin received the order and went to Nalana Baima.
Sun Shaozong then said to Ruan Rong, "You get in the car first. After I say goodbye to Brother Hou, we will set off."
Ruan Rong nodded obediently, but first took off a package , then bowed to Hou Yong, and then got into the car by herself.
"Brother Hou, I..."
"Okay, stop wasting time on me!"
Seeing that Sun Shaozong was about to come over to say goodbye to him, Hou Yong waved his hand impatiently and urged: "You better get on the road quickly, or the victim will catch up with you if you delay any longer!"
Sun Shaozong could only bow silently, snatched the whip from Feng Xin, jumped onto the shaft and shook it casually. The horse immediately raised its four hooves and headed east along the official road.
Behind him, Feng Xin also hurriedly climbed onto Sun Shaozong's black horse and followed closely behind him, holding the reins.
From that day on, the three of them traveled day and night, heading for the border between the two countries at a leisurely pace.
Eight days later.
The three of them finally left the territory of Qianxiang Kingdom and officially set foot on the land of Great Zhou. That evening, Ruan Rong burned incense and bowed three times in the direction of Qinglin Mansion. When she stood up, she was already in tears.
